Rating: 8/10



Sadly, a large percentage of electronica simples collections these days have a tendency to sound very ‘samey’. This is partly down to the fact that a lot of them are produced using software replicas of the original drum and bass machines first used in the 1980’s.

Inevitably, therefore, the same presets are being replicated in different libraries.



It’s refreshing, then, to review a collection that uses the original hardware that defined the era - from pre -MIDI Roland rarities to 80s Korg and AKAI drum machines.

Organic- sounding drum grooves form the basis of this two disc DVD/CD offering, with versions in .WAV, Apple loops, Rex, Reason, EXS24, Halion and kontakt formats. You get three loop tempos to choose from -125, 127 and 130BPM.



Two additional folders contain kick-free top loops and a large selection of single hits.

Retro Roland sounds appear to dominate the synth loops, which are no bad thing - and there is a wide variety of useful arpeggios and quirky lead lines.

We’re not sure which machines were supposed to use for the bass loops, but, to our ears, there are plenty of TB303’s (or something very similar) pulsating away in the bass folder.



Guitar loops are not so numerous, only six in the 127BPM category, but a healthy helping of ‘chugs’ and ‘twangs’ makes up the shortfall. A set of music loops such as kick/synth combos and a folder full of effects complete the deal.



Dance producers on the hunt for some new summer material will not be disappointed.



Verdict - A funky package of house drum loops made with the original 80’s drum and bass machines. Ideal material for dance music producers seeking new loops.